Louisiana prep roundup: It's time to hit somebody

St. Augustine is a trendy preseason pick thanks to its wealth of Blue-Chip talent. (Matthew Hinton / The Times-Picayune)

Prep football is here.

Oh sure, for the fans that may not be true. And sure enough, there aren't any games going on (unless you count scrimmages -- more on those below). But if you want honest-to-gosh football ... which in this book means full pads and live hitting ... THAT, my friends, is finally here.

Today is the first day for full pads in practice, as mandated by the LHSAA, and it's a welcome sight. After months of mindless speculation and previews and general nonsense (but never fear, those things will be in long supply the next three weeks as well), real live football is actually here.

The Shreveport Times takes a look at two programs looking for major improvements in 2010, Lakeside and Fair Park.

Locally, we have The Times-Picayune's preseason poll (always good for water-cooler fodder, especially after we start to get an actual live look at some of these teams this week) as well as its Blue Chip list. Naturally, St. Augustine factors heavily in both.

Who's going to the Louisiana Superdome in December? We start to really find out today.

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Readers of this column are no doubt familiar with Andreas Duplantis, one of the most outstanding pole-vaulters in the entire country. But his younger brother, 10-year-old Armand, is starting to make national waves as well. Considering his pedigree, it isn't surprising.

Even though the start of football season is still three weeks away, the LHSAA will be featuring six special scrimmages this weekend at Zachary High School ... scrimmages that allow the players as well as the officials to get more in-game practice. NewOrleans.com has further details.

Abby Ter Haar (Episcopal) runs in track and cross country, but her true passion, according to The Advocate, is helping people.